Geranium plant named ‘Gentred’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Geranium plant named ‘Gentred’ that is characterized by semi-double scarlet red flowers, medium green foliage with a zonation pattern, an early flower response and a medium to vigorous growth habit.

Botanical classification: Pelargonium×hortorum.

Variety denomination: ‘Gentred’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Geraniumplant botanically known as Pelargonium×hortorum and hereinafter referredto by the cultivar name ‘Gentred’.

The new cultivar is the product of a breeding program conducted by theinventor in a cultivated area of Hagenbach, Germany. The objective ofthe breeding program is to develop new Geranium cultivars that are earlyflowering with semi-double flowers and medium green foliage.

‘Gentred’ is a hybrid that originated from the hybridization of thefemale or seed parent a proprietary selection of Pelargonium×hortorumidentified by number L39 (not patented) and the male or pollen parent aproprietary selection of Pelargonium×hortorum identified by number K100(not patented). The cultivar ‘Gentred’ was selected by the inventor inJune of 2002 as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross ina controlled environment of Hagenbach, Germany.

Asexual reproduction by terminal cuttings of the new cultivar ‘Gentred’were first done in September of 2003 in Hagenbach, Germany. Since thattime, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the newcultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newGeranium cultivar ‘Gentred’. These traits in combination distinguish‘Gentred’ as a new and distinct cultivar apart from other known existingvarieties of Geranium.

-   -   1. Geranium‘Gentred’ exhibits scarlet red flowers.    -   2. Geranium‘Gentred’ exhibits semi-double flowers.    -   3. Geranium‘Gentred’ exhibits medium green foliage with a        zonation pattern.    -   4. Geranium‘Gentred’ exhibits an early flower response.    -   5. Geranium‘Gentred’ exhibits a medium to vigorous growth habit.

The closest comparison variety is Geranium ‘Genlibsca’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 15,766). ‘Gentred’ is different than ‘Genlibsca’ in having a largerplant width, shorter internodes, and smaller flowers that are darkerred.

The new cultivar ‘Gentred’ is distinguishable from the female parentGeranium proprietary selection L39 in having lighter green leaves anddarker red flowers.

The new cultivar ‘Gentred’ is distinguishable from the male parentGeranium proprietary selection K100 in having an earlier flower responseand lighter red flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits ofGeranium ‘Gentred’. The plant in the photograph shows an overall view ofa 12 week old plant. The photograph was taken using conventionaltechniques and although colors may appear different from actual colorsdue to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventionalphotographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Geranium cultivarnamed ‘Gentred’. Data was collected in Hagenbach, Germany from 12 weekold plants grown under glass greenhouse conditions. The plants weregrown in 12 cm in diameter containers. The time of year was Spring andthe daytime temperature ranged from 18 to 26° Centigrade. Thetemperature at night ranged from 16 to 20° Centigrade. The light levelwas 20 to 35 klux. No photoperiodic treatments were used. The growthretardant CYCLOCEL 720 was applied at a rate of 0.05 percent. Colordeterminations are in accordance with The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart 2001 edition, except where general color terms of ordinarydictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similarto the species.

‘Gentred’ has not been tested under all possible conditions andphenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental,climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance ingenotype.

-   Botanical classification: Pelargonium×hortorum cultivar ‘Gentred’.-   Annual or Perennial: Annual.-   Parentage: ‘Gentred’ is a hybrid plant that resulted from the    hybridization of the following parent plants:    -   -   Female parent.—A proprietary selection of            Pelargonium×hortorum identified by number L39.        -   Male parent.—A proprietary selection of Pelargonium×hortorum            identified by number K100.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Growth rate: Approximately 6 cm. per month.-   Growth habit: Upright, outwardly spreading.-   Plant shape: Globose.-   Plant height: Average 18 cm. in height.-   Plant width: Average 26 cm. in width.-   Suitable container size: 12 to 15 cm containers.-   propagation: Terminal cuttings.-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 5-7 days to produce roots on    an initial cutting.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting or liner: Approximately 20-24 days.-   Crop time: From a rooted cutting, approximately 12 weeks are    required to produce a finished flowering plant.-   High temperature tolerance 40 degrees: Centigrade.-   Low temperature tolerance: 0 degrees Centigrade.    -   -   Root system.—Fine and fibrous.        -   Stem.—Branching habit: Free branching. Basal branching: Yes.            Average number of lateral branches: 5. Pinching: No. Lateral            branch dimensions: 11 cm. in length and 1.4 cm. in diameter            Lateral branch strength: Strong. Color: 143B. Pubescence:            Present. Internode length: 2.4 cm. between nodes. Shape:            Round. Surface: Glabrous, slightly glossy.        -   Foliage.—Texture: Both sides smooth. Leaf arrangement:            Alternate. Compound or single: Single. Quantity of leaves            per lateral branch: 12. Leaf shape: Reniform. Leaf apex:            Rounded. Leaf base: Cordate. Leaf length: 4.5 cm. in length.            Leaf width: 7.5 cm. in width. Pubescence: Present both            sides. Leaf margin: Bicrenate. Vein pattern: Palmate. Young            leaf color (upper surface): 144A. Young leaf color (lower            surface): 144B. Mature leaf color (upper surface): 137C.            Mature leaf color (lower surface): 138B. Vein color (upper            surface): 137C. Vein color (lower surface): 146C. Zonation            pattern: Strong, 200C. Leaf attachment: Petiolate. Petiole            dimensions: 7 cm. in length and 1.5 cm. in width. Petiole            color: 146B.        -   Stipules.—Stipule dimensions: 1.5 cm in length and 0.8 cm in            width. Stipule color: 143C.        -   Inflorescence.—Inflorescence arrangement: Rounded            hemispherical umbels. Inflorescence type: Umbel.            Inflorescence dimensions: 5.5 cm in height and 10.5 cm in            width. Flowering habit: Continuous. Quantity of flowers per            inflorescence: Approximately 5. Quantity of buds per lateral            stem: Approximately 22. Quantity of flowers and buds per            plant: Approximately 135. Flowering season: Spring to            Summer. Time to flower: Approximately 12 weeks. Rate of            flower opening: Approximately 15% of the flowers are opened            at once. Fragrance: None. Bud dimensions: 6 mm. in length            and 3.2 mm. in diameter. Bud shape: Ovoid. Bud color: 143B.            Rate of bud opening: 3 days. Flower aspect: Upright. Flower            shape: Shallow cup shaped, rounded, semi-double. Flower            dimensions: 4.8 cm. in diameter and 1.5 cm. in height.            Flower longevity: Lasts approximately 11 days on plant.            Petal texture: Glabrous. Petal arrangement: Zygomorph.            Number of petals: 6 in number. Petals fused or unfused:            Unfused. Petal shape: Ovate. Petal margin: Entire. Petal            apex: Rounded. Petal base: Attenuate. Petal dimensions:            2.2 cm. in length and 2.1 cm. in width. Upper petal color            when opening (upper side): 43A. Lower petal color when            opening (upper side): 43A. Upper petal color when opening            (under side): 43B. Lower petal color when opening (under            side): 43B. Upper petal color fully opened (upper side):            43A. Lower petal color fully opened (upper side): 43A. Upper            petal color fully opened (under side): 43B. Lower petal            color fully opened (under side): 43B. Petaloid shape:            Sail-like. Petaloid quantity: Average 2. Petaloid            dimensions: 2.1 cm. in length and 0.8 cm. in width. Petaloid            color, young: 43A. Petaloid color, mature: 40A.        -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Persistent.        -   Sepals.—Number of sepals: 5. Sepal surface: Upper side: dull            and smooth, Lower side: pubescent. Sepal shape: Lancet.            Sepal margin: Entire. Sepal apex: Acute. Sepal base:            Cuneate. Sepal dimensions: 0.9 cm. in length and 2.5 mm. in            width. Sepal color immature (upper side): 143B. Sepal color            immature (under side): 143B. Sepal color mature (upper            side): 143B. Sepal color mature (under side): 143B. Calyx            shape: Cup-shaped. Calyx dimensions: 9 mm in length, 1.7 cm            in diameter, and 6 mm in height.        -   Peduncle.—Peduncle dimensions: 9.5 cm. in length and 3 mm.            in diameter. Peduncle color: 144A. Peduncle strength:            Moderately strong.        -   Pedicels.—Pedicel dimensions: 2.1 cm. in length and 1.2 mm.            in diameter. Pedicel color (young): 47B. Pedicel color            (mature): 47B. Pedicel strength: Moderate.        -   Reproduction organs.—Stamen number: 6. Anther shape: Ovate.            Anther dimensions: 2.5 mm. in length. Anther color: 61B.            Amount of pollen: Moderate. Pollen color: 31A. Pistil            number: 1 in number. Pistil dimensions: 8 mm. in length.            Stigma shape: Five parted, star shaped. Stigma color: 41B.            Style length: 5 mm. Style color: 41B. Ovary color: 143B.-   Seed: Seed production has not been observed.-   Disease and pest resistance: Plants of the new geranium have not    been observed for disease or pest resistance.

1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium plant named ‘Gentred’ asdescribed and illustrated.